During a session at the India Energy Week 2025, the industry leaders emphasised the scope of solar energy in agricultural operations. They firmly believe that engaging solar energy in agricultural farming can improve productivity, help in the integration of food and energy security, and lower the cost. This session was organised to discuss Solar-Based Farm Mechanisation for Transforming Agriculture Across the Global South. India is already on its way to utilising the benefits of solar energy in various sectors, which also includes solar in agriculture. The government has already distributed 4,00,000 solar pumps under Kusum Yojana and sanctioned subsidies for solar cold storage under the Integrated Development of Horticulture mission.
What we need today is an effective Agrivoltaic system to boost agricultural productivity and solar energy production.
What is an Agrivoltaic system?
Another name for Agrivoltaic systems is agrophotovoltaics, which engages in the dual usage of land for both agriculture and solar energy production. This system involves using photovoltaic panels with farming activities to grow crops and farming operations. The solar panels can be installed in various ways: they can be elevated above the crops, interspersed between them, or installed on greenhouses. Agrivoltaic systems help in the efficient use of land, avoiding land-use conflicts, and provide economic opportunities to farmers by diversifying their income by generating renewable energy along with traditional farming.
Solar Energy: A Sustainable Solution
India is an agricultural country that is mostly dependent on energy for carrying out farming operations like irrigation, cold storage, and processing. In India, farmers mostly rely on grid electricity or diesel pumps for their farming operations, and both are expensive and not favourable for the environment. Solar in agriculture, on the other hand, provides a sustainable alternative through technologies like solar modules and on-grid inverters.
The best solar panels in India convert sunlight into electricity, while on-grid inverters connect the solar system to the main power grid, ensuring efficient energy management. These systems enable farmers to generate their own power during the day and even sell surplus electricity back to the grid, creating an additional income stream.
Cost Savings and Financial Benefits
One of the most significant advantages of solar energy is its ability to reduce costs for farmers. Diesel pumps are not only expensive to operate but also subject to fluctuating fuel prices. Solar in agriculture eliminates these expenses entirely after the initial investment. Solar panels have a lifespan of 25–30 years and require minimal maintenance, making them highly cost-effective in the long run.
Additionally, government subsidies under schemes like PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) have made solar technology more affordable for farmers:
Farmers can install solar pumps with 30–50% central subsidies, while state governments often cover another 30%. This reduces the farmer’s upfront cost to as little as 10–20%.
Northeastern states and hilly regions receive even higher subsidies, with central support covering up to 50% of costs.
These financial incentives not only minimise the burden on farmers but also promote renewable energy adoption across rural India.
Powering Irrigation Systems with Solar Energy
Irrigation is one of the most energy-intensive activities in agriculture. Traditional systems relying on diesel or electricity often lead to high operational costs and environmental degradation. Solar-powered irrigation systems solve these issues by providing a clean and reliable energy source that allows farmers to irrigate their fields efficiently without worrying about fuel expenses or power outages.
For example, in Gujarat, many farmers have adopted solar water-pumping systems under government schemes, significantly reducing their dependency on diesel pumps while improving irrigation capacity.
Agrovoltaics: Combining Agriculture with Solar Power
A groundbreaking innovation in this field is agrovoltaics, which integrates agriculture with photovoltaic (PV) power generation. In agrovoltaic systems, solar panels are installed above agricultural land at a height that allows crops to grow underneath or between them. This dual land-use system offers several benefits:
Agrovoltaics Benefits
- Improved Land Productivity: Agrovoltaics increases land productivity by 35–73%, enabling farmers to generate renewable energy while cultivating crops.
- Microclimate Creation: The shade provided by solar panels reduces soil temperature and evaporation, protecting crops from extreme weather conditions like heat waves.
- Higher Crop Yields: Certain crops like tomatoes and lettuce see yield increases of up to 38% under agrovoltaic setups due to better water retention and reduced heat stress.
- Economic Resilience: Farmers earn from both crop sales and electricity generation, creating a buffer against financial risks associated with crop failures.
Pilot projects across India have demonstrated the potential of agrovoltaics with crops such as leafy greens, pulses, and horticultural produce like tomatoes and cotton.
Environmental Benefits of Solar Energy in Agriculture
Switching to solar energy offers substantial environmental advantages:
- Reduced Carbon Emissions: Diesel pumps contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Replacing them with solar-powered systems helps mitigate climate change by reducing emissions.
- Groundwater Conservation: Solar pumps operate efficiently without over-extracting groundwater, helping preserve vital aquifers.
- Sustainable Energy Source: The best solar panels in India ensure long-term sustainability by providing clean energy for decades without depleting natural resources.
Cold Storage Powered by Solar Energy
India wastes nearly 40% of its horticultural produce due to inadequate cold storage facilities. Agrovoltaic systems can address this issue by powering cold storage units directly at farms using solar-generated electricity. This integration not only reduces post-harvest losses but also enhances food security and farmer incomes.
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite its benefits, the widespread adoption of solar in agriculture faces challenges such as high initial installation costs and limited awareness among farmers. However, government initiatives like PM-KUSUM aim to address these barriers by promoting decentralized solar installations on agricultural land. Innovations like agrovoltaics further enhance the feasibility of solar farming by maximizing land use efficiency.
Conclusion
Solar energy is proving to be a transformative force for Indian agriculture. By reducing costs, improving irrigation efficiency, and enabling dual land use through agrovoltaics, it is empowering farmers across the country while contributing to environmental sustainability. Government subsidies under schemes like PM-KUSUM have played a crucial role in making solar technology accessible to rural communities.
As India continues its journey toward renewable energy goals, integrating solar in agriculture will play a pivotal role in ensuring food security, combating climate change, and improving rural livelihoods.
